Go to the northeast side of the island near Red hook. The Ritz carlton beach in Great Bay is, well, great. Look for a dirt road turn off into Lindquest Beach off Hwy 38 north of Red Hook. Great spot but watch the reef. I'm sure there are other 'secret' spots too.

The wind is mostly onshore to side-onshore. The trades should be good now but were light when I was there, except for two good days. I sailed my 12 when I could but it would be nice to have a full quiver with you just in case. Check the NOAA site for wind forecasts.

There is a Shop in Charlote Amalie near the cruise ships that sells kites and accessories but it is mainly a surfing store. There is also a guy, Dave, I think, In Red Hook, West Indies Windsurfing just before the turn off to the Ritz... He has a school for windsurfing kiting and other sailing craft on the Red Hook Harbour beach.

guy to talk to is john phillips who owns westindies windsurfing. phone 340 775-6530. tell him gregg healey sent you. shop is located on vessup beach which is across the harbor from redhook

ritz beach is best in SE (can't be beat if the conditions are right - wind is steady as a hairdryer). sapphire beach in NE works well (or you can go across cabrina point road to vessup beach, which also works in NE, but you have to weave upwind through all the sailboats. all launches are tricky and are generally onshore, with large objects lurking around downwind, so be careful. you can also take a zodic or small boat out to a number of small uninhabited islands around the east end as well.

august is hit or miss because it is the beginning of the hurricane season. july is much better. basically aug-oct is a crapshoot. nov-july is more reliable. dec/jan and june/july are best for wind. i usually go a few times a year nov-april